rings and gaskets?

[Jim mac]

so the new to me basket case 200x needs rings and gaskets to put the motor back together. I see original honda rings for 40 bucks, also see top end gasket kits for 10 to 25 bucks.
what's the deal with the cheap gaskets? what's the preferred gaskets? thanks. jim

[ironchop]

I've used Vesrah, Winderosa, and Tusk gasket kits on the 200X topends and didn't have any issues with anything. I used only OEM Honda in my 250R but as far as all my 200Xs, I thought the Winderosa gaskets were best quality of the three. That was ten years ago and lots of things change, but Vesrah seemed like the thinnest of the three kits back then. None of them leaked and I run dry gaskets in everything I build. I'm not sure I would get the $10 sets though. Your results may vary, y that's just my opinion

[Jim mac]

I ordered the tusk gaskets and ebay std rings last night. the kit has valve seals and O rings etc. jim

[MrConcdid]

Hey Jim, yes I have used all the above kits, I just ordered this one from G&H because it list in the details the piston is a shindy, gasket kit is armortech and they make a great product.
https://amzn.to/3AHsw2y

[Jim mac]

I would have preferred to install a new piston while the motor is apart, but I don't have any info on the condition of the bottom end, so it's just rings and gaskets. hopefully the rest is good. jim

[MrConcdid]

I know its kind of wasteful, but I prefer to order my parts Before I tear down an engine or anything really. I would hate to have bought rings/gaskets, then tear down to see I need a piston, then have reorder. I just did this on my 350x, now its taken me an additional 2 weeks waiting on a full gasket set since I had to split the case. Time is money, lol
Mrc.

[Jim mac]

the good thing about the motor, the previous owner took the motor out and pulled the top end off so I was able to determine it was a standard bore and no ridge in the cylinder. I got it all bolted back together yesterday and going to install the motor this morning.
MrC, I remember your video saying to got sidetrack with covid yourself, im on day 4 and find that getting up and tinkering helps the achy muscles and the sore throat and stuff seems to disappear. Sadly my wife came down with it too and since I'm doing better, I get to play mechanic and head nurse. lol. hopefully I'll post a pic of the motor installed later. jim

[Jim mac]

I get a occasional pop out of the motor but it hasn't run yet
I tried a new china carb, got a good few pops but not running, tried new and used plugs, again pops but no run. put the F mark up top, checked the rotor and it's lined with the pulse generator. Hooked a compression tester and reads 105 pounds? sounds low with fresh rings but it is what it is. pulled the cdi cover back off to verify the O mark on the sprocket is lined with the V on the head. verified I have a little valve lash on both valves.
I did pull the side cover to check to see if the PO marked the flywheel proper and he did but when I pulled the cover a bunch of oil came out so I imagine I need a new seal.
will a stator swimming in oil cause ignition issues? jim

[Jim mac]

got to checking the internet, looks like there is supposed to be oil in the stator housing on a 200x. swapped a few plugs, get a occasional pop pop pop but won't run! it's getting fuel, it's getting air and it looks like it's getting spark at the correct time. has 100# of compression so that should be good to start. I'm thinking with the new rings, maybe I'm not kicking it over fast enough? I'm going to give it a few more hours and maybe a new plug or two. if she don't start soon, this motor is going to be coming out and a 185 or 200s motor is headed in. jim

[El Camexican]

Are you doing the compression test with the carb open and kicking till the needle stops rising?

Very little valve lash? Too much is better than not enough. Make sure you have at least the minimum that Honda specs.

[Jim mac]

carb open, it goes to 100 after about 3 or 4 kicks
valve lash, I do the make sure I feel a little opening. I'm going to do the step by step ignition troubleshoot like mrcbuild video. Have to remember this trike was bought with the bottom end in a box and the rest of the motor in baggies. So I don't have a clue on any of it. I do have a running 200x I can swap parts from.
last night I went out and moved the timing back and forth. every kick I would get 1 pop out of the exhaust. even pulled the muffler. jim

[MrConcdid]

To be honest it took me most of six month to really feel like I was over it. Yes I felt better in a few weeks, but it took much longer to get my wind back.
Hang in there, drink plenty of fluids and I agree, keep moving, keep pushing.
MrC.

[Jim mac]

I should just merge all these threads together but IT RUNs!!!
I'm calling this my covid200X.
went back and thought it thru,
compression
cam timing
air
spark
fuel.
originally I didn't want to mess with the bagged up old carb so I just swapped the base of the carb with a china carb, left the original slide with the new carb.
so I pulled the original carb apart and cleaned it (jets were clean) put it on a d BOOM we have ignition!
Maybe it was a carb issue mixing 2 carbs, maybe it was just a bad carb? anyway the stock carb is working fine! If the management says to stay home another day or two, I'll just finish buttoning this thing back together! bleed the brakes and see if it shifts, stops etc. jim

[207wheelin]

Jim I hope you're doing well man!
I got my 200s cylinder back from G&H a while back and just got time to put it all together. They shipped an Armortech gasket set that looks like a quality set and everything fit perfectly. Last nights test ride was a bit disappointing though. Now I remember why I put a high compression piston and 200x cam in it the first time around! That's alright because this is my daughters machine. Just sucks I'll have to slow down to let her catch up to me!
Hoping your well on your way to recovery man!
Corey